Double barbed suture with needle delivery system

Abstract

A tissue closure device includes a suture extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end; a distal barb element including at least one distal arm extending from a first end connected to the distal end of the suture to a second end extending toward the proximal end of the suture, the distal barb movable between an engaging configuration, in which the distal arm extends away from the suture; to a non-engaging configuration in which the distal arm is moved toward the suture; and a proximal barb element slidably mounted over the suture and including a proximal arm extending from a first end connected to a base portion mounted over the suture to a second extending toward the distal end of the suture, the proximal barb element movable between an engaging configuration and a non-engaging configuration.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A tissue closure device, comprising:
 a suture extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end;   a distal barb element including at least one distal arm extending from a first end connected to the distal end of the suture to a second end extending toward the proximal end of the suture, the distal barb movable between an engaging configuration, in which the distal arm extends away from the suture, to a non-engaging configuration in which the distal arm is moved toward the suture; and   a proximal barb element slidably mounted over the suture proximally of the distal barb element, the proximal barb element including a proximal arm extending from a first end connected to a base portion mounted over the suture to a second extending toward the distal end of the suture, the proximal barb element movable between an engaging configuration, in which the proximal arm extends away from the suture, and a non-engaging configuration, in which the proximal arm is moved toward the suture.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the distal barb element is biased in the engaging configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the proximal barb element is biased in the engaging configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein a portion of an exterior of the suture and an interior of the base portion of the proximal barb element include corresponding ratchet teeth such that the proximal barb element is permitted to be moved distally relative to the suture prevented from being moved proximally relative to the suture. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein one of the suture, distal barb element and the proximal barb element is comprised of a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the suture is formed of a heat activated material which coils upon being heated to a predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the distal end of the suture includes a distal locking feature and the proximal end of the suture includes a proximal locking feature. 
     
     
         23 . A system for treating a tissue defect, comprising:
 a plurality of tissue closure devices longitudinally connectable to one another, each of the plurality of tissue closure devices including:
 a suture extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end; 
 a distal barb element including at least one distal arm extending from a first end connected to the distal end of the suture to a second end extending toward the proximal end of the suture, the distal barb movable between an engaging configuration, in which the distal arm extends away from the suture, to a non-engaging configuration in which the distal arm is moved toward the suture; and 
 a proximal barb element slidably mounted over the suture proximally of the distal barb element, the proximal barb element including a proximal arm extending from a first end connected to a base portion mounted over the suture to a second extending toward the distal end of the suture, the proximal barb element movable between an engaging configuration, in which the proximal arm extends away from the suture, and a non-engaging configuration, in which the proximal arm is moved toward the suture; and 
   a delivery tool including a needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, the plurality of tissue closure devices housed within the lumen of the needle in longitudinal alignment.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein each of the tissue closure devices include a distal locking feature at the distal end of the suture and a proximal locking feature at the proximal end of the suture such that distal and proximal locking features of adjacent ones of the plurality of tissue closure devices engage one another to lock the adjacent tissue closure devices relative to one another. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , the delivery tool further including a pusher slidably received within the lumen of the needle, the delivery tool extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, the pusher extending over the plurality of tissue closure devices to provide radial compression to the distal and proximal locking features of the adjacent tissue closure devices to lock the adjacent tissue closure devices relative to one another. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising a handle portion including actuators for moving each of the plurality of tissue closure devices, the pusher and the needle relative to one another. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the needle includes a tapered distal tip for piercing a target tissue defect to be treated. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein a portion of an exterior of the suture and an interior of the base portion of the proximal barb element include corresponding ratchet teeth such that the proximal barb element is permitted to be moved distally relative to the suture prevented from being moved proximally relative to the suture. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein one of the suture, distal barb element and the proximal barb element is comprised of a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the suture is formed of a heat activated material which coils upon being heated to a predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         31 . A method for closing a tissue defect, comprising:
 inserting a plurality of tissue closure devices slidably housed within a delivery tool, in an insertion configuration, to a target tissue defect to be treated within a patient body, the plurality of tissue closure devices in longitudinal alignment relative to one another;   piercing the portions of tissue on a first and second opposing side of the tissue defect with the needle such that the needle extends across the tissue defect and a distal end of the needle is distal of the first side and the proximal end of the needle is proximal of the second side;   moving the plurality of tissue closure devices distally relative to the needle so that a distal barb element of the distal-most one of the plurality of tissue closure devices is moved distally past the distal end of the needle to engage the portion of tissue on the first side of the tissue defect;   moving the needle proximally relative to the plurality of tissue closure devices so that the distal end of the needle is moved proximally past a proximal barb element of the distal-most tissue closure device such that the proximal barb element of the distal-most tissue closure device engages the portion of tissue along the second side of the tissue closure device; and   sliding the proximal barb element of the distal-most tissue closure device distally along a longitudinally extending suture of the distal-most tissue closure device toward the distal barb element thereof to draw the first and second sides of the tissue defect toward one another.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the proximal barb element is moved distally along the suture via a pusher extending slidably through the needle and over the plurality of tissue closure devices, a distal end of the pusher positioned proximally of the proximal barb element of the distal-most tissue closure device. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the adjacent tissue closure devices are locked in longitudinal alignment relative to one another via a radial compression of the pusher extending over corresponding locking features thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising drawing the pusher proximally relative to the plurality of tissue closure devices until the distal end of the pusher is moved proximally past the corresponding locking features between the distal-most tissue closure device and an immediately proximal tissue closure device, releasing the connection therebetween and deploying the distal-most tissue closure device in the patient body. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein each of the distal and proximal barb elements include an arm movable between an engaging configuration, in which the arms extend away from the suture, and a non-engaging configuration, in which the arms are moved toward the suture, the arms constrained toward the non-engaging configuration via an interior surface of the needle in the insertion configuration.